Loose-leaf binder



R. L. ESSON.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1, 191a.

Patented Apr. 13,1920.

ROBERT LYGERTWOOD ESSON, OF JOHANNESBUR-G, TRANSVAAL, SOUTH AFRICA.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Application filed September 7, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ronnn'r LYGERTWOOD, EssoN, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and resident of Johannesburg, Trans vaal Province, Union of South Africa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Loose-Leaf Binders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to what are known as loose leaf binders and loose leaf ledgers, or the devices which consist usually of rigid front and back covers and an adjustable back, for temporarily binding or holding together, in book form, a number of separate or loose sheets of paper.

As at present most frequently constructed such binders have certain undesirable features or defects, which this invention is designed to obviate or minimize. For example, he elements of the adjustable back of such binders often include comparatively wide clamping bars, between which those portions of the sheets which constitute the binding margin are held and secured. This construction not only results in waste of those portions of the sheets' -in the binding margin itself, but it prevents the sheets lying as flat as is desirable when the binder is opened, thereby rendering the making of entries, or the writing upon the sheets near the bindin margin, exceedingly diificult; or, alternatively resulting in further portions of the sheets near the binding margin being left blank, with consequent waste of such further portions of the sheets.

Now one object of the invention is to construct a binder-capable of effectively binding or holding one or any number of sheets up to maximum capacity-in such a way as will allow of the binding margin being considerably reduced in width, with consequent saving in paper. The invention also aims at accomplishing this object in a manner that will give a comparative flat surface to the sheets near the binding edge. or margin when the binder is opened, thereby facilitating the making of entries or writing on the sheets in close' proximity to the binding margin. In this respect my improved loose leaf binder resembles'an ordinary stationary-bound account book.

Another object of the invention is to simplify and improve those parts of the binder by means of which the sheets are bound or secured in position between the covers, and to effect this in such a manner as will insure Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

Serial No. 253,095.

the sheets being firmly and securely bound or held together, and so preclude the possibility of their falling out of position, and prevent the unauthorized removal of any sheets without obvious mutilation of the book.

A still further object is to render the operation of opening and closing the binder, in order either to extract or add sheets, easily and quickly accomplished.

In the accompanying drawings I illustrate a binder incorporating the various features of my invention, and I will now describe the same in detail with the aid of such drawings.

Figure 1 is an outside view of the binder with the covers laid flat.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but with certain portions removed to expose to view certain of the internal parts.

Fig. 3' is a view of the binder looking toward the bottom edges of the covers, the one cover being shown in section, the plane of section being on the line yg Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section of the base parts of the one cover 1 on line w-w, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a section of the base parts of the other cover 2 on line y-y, Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a section of the base parts of cover 1 on line 2-2, Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a section of the base parts of cover 2 on line :20 rc Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a view of portions of the adjustable back piece 23 and the springs which are combined with it.

Fig. 9 is a view of portion of the adjustable back piece and other associated parts, illustrating, modified form of the connection with the adjusting means.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of portions of certain of the parts which connect the adjusting means to the adjustable back piece.

Fig. 11 is an end view of the binder closed, and holding a number of the removable sheets or leaves.

Fig. 12 is a view of the key for operating the adjusting means, detached.

In constructing the binder as shown in the drawings the front and back covers 1, 2, respectively, are each made of a shaped or built up part 3 of card-board or other suitable book-binders material, strengthened. or reinforced by a thin metal plate 4 placed next the inner surface of the part 3. These base parts of the covers may be constructed either partly or entirely of boards or plates of wood or other suitable material of a su ficiently rigid nature, or entirely of metal plate, or otherwise as preferred.

The back cover 2, which is of hollow con.- struction, that is to say is fashioned with a cavity. or recess 5, is utilized as the housing for the means or mechanism whereby the back of the book is contracted or expanded in order to remove or insert sheets as re quired'.

The said mechanism comprises a spindle or rod having a right-hand screw thread G, formed upon it from a point near the center to a point near one end, and lefthand screw thread '4', provided upon it from a point near the center to a point near the other end. The smooth intermediate portion 8 of the rod, between the inner ends of the oppositely handed screw threads through an opening 27see Figs; 1 and tible back 23 isflexible, and may, as shown, conveniently be in the form of a doubled piece of pliable leather. This piece of leather 23 is shown non-adjustably attached at one side or end to the outside of the base part 3 of the front cover 1 by the rivets 24, the part 3 being shaped or cut away, as indicated at 25, for'that purpose. The other end 26 of the adjustable back passes 11provid'ed in the-inner edge of the other cover 2, at the back, into a space or pocket 28', which is formed between the part 3 and the leather or other outer covering 29 of the cover 2, and into which space or pocket 28 the said adjustable back 23 tGlQSCOi w. The inner side or end 26' of this adjustable back piece 23-, is attached to the other ends of the'links 21., 22, which thereby connect it 6, 7, is preferably journaled or 'rotatably carried in a bearing 9, fixed to the cover inside the recess or cavity 5 at one side of which cavity 5the screwed rod is housed see Fig. 2. The screwed rod,which is placed at that side of the cavity in the back cover nearest the outer edge of the said cover, and extends from a point near the top edge of said cover to a point near the bottom edge of same, is preferably also journaled or rotatably supported in bearings 10, 1'1,

' at or near each end. These bearings may be covered by metal or other suitable plates or boards 12, to protect the same and to strengthen the cover at those points. An aperture or opening 13 is provided in one (preferably the bottom, as shown) edge of I r the back cover 2, through which a key 14L can be inserted to engage a square 17 or other suitably shaped end portion of the screwed rod, for the purpose of'rotating'the latter.

On the right and left hand threaded portions 6. 7, of the rod there are arranged nuts or interiorly and correspondingly screw threaded sleeves 16, 17, which are traversed along the screwed rod, but in opposite directions, when the rod is rotated by the key 14.

The nuts 16, 17 have pivotally attached to them the ends of an arrangement of bars or levers 18, substantially in the form of lazy tongs. The connections between the ends of the members of the lazy tongs l3 and the nuts 16, 17, may be made byconstructing the latter with lugs or projections 19, to which the ends of the lazy tongs members 18 will be loosely pinned. The lazy tongs arrangement may,- as shown, consist of a single pair of members pivotally attached together at the center 20, and a pair of links 21', 22, one attached to the free end of each of" said pair of members 18.

The adjustable or extensible and centres to the lazy tongs 18. The covers 1, 2, are in'this manner connected'together through the medium of the adjustable back 23 by the mechanism for expanding and cor-trac ing said back,

The covers 1, 2, are also similarly connected together by means of a plurality two are shownof thongs, straps, ribbons or bands 30, 31. These thongs 30, are secured to-the front cover 1 by the rivets 32, and pass out through slots or openings 33 in the inner edge of" said cover. The The a? base plate 4 ofeach of the covers 1,2, as shownpreferably bent around the inner edgeof thecover to the outer side and extends, as indicated at 35', for a suitable distance' in the direction of the outer edge to serve as a strengthening piece for thatpon tion oi the cover, and also to inrovide the rounded edge 34-, which is hereinafter referred to. 36 are rivets securing the extension 35 to the base piece Band plate The rivets 32' securing the thongs 30, 31 the cover 1-, also preferably of extension 35. V V

Thethongs-SO, 31 engage in a well known 'ma-n-ner withthe binding margin of the sheets 37see Fig. 11the sheets 3? being provided, as usual, with appropriately shapedslots for thatflpurpose.

The thongs 30, 31 pass through slots or openings 38 in the inner edge of the other and. back cover 2. Inside the back cover 2 the thongs 30, 31 areattached'to the ends of 1-8.. This is-efiected by providing the inner edge 26 of theback piece 23'with a doubled strengthening stripor piece 40, of metal or other suitable. material, and riveting the bar 39and intervening thongs 30, 31 to it,

ass through the indicated at ell, in F 10, and pivotally attaching the ends of the links 21, 22 to the bar 39, as indicated at 412. The strip or piece 40 is bent or kinked, as indicated at 43, in Fig. 10, to afford clearance between it and the pivoted ends 42 of the links, so as to allow of free movement of the latter.

The flexible adjustable back piece 23, shown in the drawings, preferably incor porates or has combined with it a suitable spring medium, which operates to hold up the inner ends of the covers and so raise the sheets or leaves along the binding margin, and in that way insures the flat opening down the binding margin, as previously explained. Such spring medium is shown consisting of a plurality (four are shown) of parallel pieces of spring steel, of how or similar shape, indicated at 44:, 45, 16, 4-7. These springs are secured across or from end to end of the back piece 23 on the in side, being shown placed in the fold of said piece 23. The springs are secured to one edge of the piece 23 by the rivets 24, which fix the piece 23 to the base part 3 of the front cover 1. The springs extend beyond this edge of the piece 23, and are further secured to the base part 3 by rivets 48. The other ends of the springs are fixed to the piece 23 and also to the strengthening strip 40, by rivets 49. By this arrangement the back piece 23 and the springs are rigidly connected to the links 21, 22, of the adjusting mechanism.

lhose portions of the springs which lie between the covers 1, 2, assume an outwardly bent bow or curve, similar to the spring back of an ordinary stationarybound account book see Fig. 3. The springs by extending for the full width of theadjustable back piece 23, operate, as explained, in any position of said piece 23, between its points of minimum and maximum expansion.

It is to be understood that this spring effect of the back piece may be obtained in other ways, as for example by constructing the back piece somewhat on the lines of the spring back of an ordinary well-bound account book.

The sheets or leaves 3'Tsee Fig. 11are assembled and secured between the rounded inner or back edges 3d of the covers 1, 2, in which the apertures or openings 33, 38, are formed for the thongs 30, 31, to pass through. These edges 34; form the h nges or bearing parts between the covers 1, 2, and the sheets or leaves 37, and when the back of the book is tightly closed, by the means above described, the sheets are securely gripped or firmly held between the said edges 34.

If cesired narrow bearing or contact strips 50, 51 of metal or other suitable material may be placed between the rounded edges of the covers 1, 2, and the sheets 37 These strips, as shown, may be 1n the form of separate or loose pieces extending down the binding margin from the top edge to the bottom edge of the sheets or leaves 37. They may be curved slightly trans- '\'erselysee 3 and 11to form curved recesses for the rounded ed of the covers 1, 2, to engage in. The strips 00, 51 will be slotted to permit the thongs 30, 31 to pass through them. These strips 50, 51 might be conveniently combined with a stout waste sheet placed at the front and back of the ordinary sheets or leaves 37. By the arrangement above described, the pressure operatin to keep the sheets in position in the binder is more evenly distributed throughout the whole length or distance from the top to the bottom of the binding margin of the sheets 37.

in the modifieu arrangement illustrated in Fig. 9, the links 21, 22, are dispensed with, and the ends of the levers or lazy tongs 18 are slidably attached to the bar 39, by providing the latter with slots 52, and fitting pins in the ends of the lazy tongs 13 to engage in said slots.

It is obvious that the adjusting mechanism could be placed in the front cover 1, instead of the back cover 2, if preferred.

l s hat I claim as my invention, and de sire to protect by Letters Patent is 1. ln loose-leaf bind-us, the combination of front and back cove and an adjustable back with means for expanding and contracting said adjustable back, comprising a rod or spindle having ri ht and left-hand screw threads, nuts or 'ing with said threads and a system. of lovers connecting said nuts with said back.

2. In loose-leaf binders, the combination. of front and back covers and an adjust back, with means for expanding and contracting said adjustable back, comprising a rod having right ant left hand screw threads, nuts engaging with said threads, and an arrangement of crossed bars or levers, pivoted together, and connected to said nuts at one end and to the adjustable back at the other end.

In loose-leaf hinders, the combination of front and back covers and an adjustable back, with means for expanding and contracting said adjustable back, comprising a rod having right and left hand screw threads, nuts engaging with said threads, and lazy tongs connecting the nuts to the adjustable back.

l. In loose-leaf hinders, he combination of front and back covers and an adjustable back, with means for expanding and corn tracting said adjustable back, comprising a rod having right and left hand screw threads, nuts engaging with said threads, an arrangement of crossed bars or levers pivotcd together and connec'ed at one end to said nuts, and links connecting the other end of the arrangement of crossed levers or bars to the adjustable back.

5. In loose-leaf binders, the combination of front and back covers and an adjustable back, with means for expanding and con tracting said adjustable back, comprising a rod having right and left hand screw threads, nuts engaging with said threads, la-zy'tongs connected to said nuts at one end, and links. connecting the other end of the lazy tongs to the adjustable back.

6. In loose-leaf binders, the combination f front and back covers and an adjustable back, with means for expanding and contracting said adjustable back, comprising a rod having right and left hand screw threads, nuts engaging with said threads, lazy tongs connected to the nuts, thongs for holding the sheets, and a bar which connects the lazy tongs to the adjustable back and to the thongs.

7. In loose-leaf binders, the combination of front and back covers and an adjustable back, with means for expanding and contracting said adjustable back, comprising a rod having right and left hand screw threads, nuts engaging with said threads, lazy tongs connected to the nuts, thongs for holding the sheets, a bar which connects the lazy tongs to the adjustable back and to the thongs, and a strengthening piece or strip placed down the inner end of the adjustable back, which piece or strip is utilized as the means for attaching the back to the bar connecting the thongs.

8. In loose-leaf binders, the combination of front and back covers, an adjustable back and a spring medium combined with the back which operates to hold up the inner ends of the covers and so raise the sheets along the binding margin.

' 9. In loose-leaf binders, the combination of front and back-covers, an adjustable back and a spring medium combined wi h the back which operates to hold up the inner ends of the covers and so raise the sheets along thebindingmargin, said spring medium consisting of a plurality of parallel spring pieces attached to the-back piece and to one of the covers. 7

10; Loose'leaf binders comprising front and back covers, an adjustable back and means whereby the sheets. or' leaves are gripped and secured between the inner or back edges of said covers, the inner edges of the covers, between which the sheets or leaves are gripped or secured, being rounded, the rounded innergripping edges of the covers being formed by bending the metal base plates of the covers. 7

1,1 In loose-leaf binders, in combination, front andback covers, an adjustable back, a'spring medium combined with the back which operates to hold upthe inner ends of the covers and so raise the sheets along the binding margin, means whereby the sheets or leaves are gripped, and secured directly be tween the inner or back edges of said covers.

12. In loose-leaf binders, in combination, front and back covers, an adjustable back, a spring medium combined with the back which operates to hold up the inner endsot' the covers'and so raise the sheets along the binding margin, means whereby the sheets or leaves are gripped and secured directly between the inner or back edges of said covers, the inner edges of the covers, be-

tween which the sheets or leaves are gripped or secured, being rounded.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT LYGER'IWOOD ESSON.

lVitnesses CHAS. OVENDALE, J. PLEIN. 

